P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren’s double disqualification in Las Vegas has kept Max Verstappen’s title hopes more than alive.
Max Verstappen emphasized that there is no justification for failing post-race FIA plank wear checks, following McLaren’s double disqualification in Las Vegas. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were initially placed second and fifth but were subsequently disqualified for exceeding the maximum plank wear limit. Verstappen capitalized on this, reducing Norris’ lead in the drivers’ title by 25 points after winning in Sin City. Notably, Norris, Piastri, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, and Pierre Gasly have faced disqualification this season due to illegal plank wear levels. Despite McLaren’s attempts to plead their case, Verstappen believes that compliance with regulations is non-negotiable and is an integral part of motorsport. He expressed this stance in relation to McLaren’s disqualification at the Las Vegas race when he stated, “There’s no excuse – when you’re too low, you’re too low, same with other rules in the sport.”
